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Work-life balance?
As a psychiatrist or any doctor what is your day to day schedule and how do you balance life in and out of the hospital.
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6 answers
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I think it is very difficult to have a work and life balance in the field of medicine. It doesn't even matter if you don't go to the hospital. As a physician, you need to see patients, refill medications, answer questions throughout the day, and review charts. This is why it is so important that you enjoy your job. I always suggest everyone interested in medicine work as a medical scribe.
If you are interested in medicine but having a personal life, one option is clinical research. As a physician in clinical research, you are helping to see if new drugs in the market will help patients.
If you are interested in medicine but having a personal life, one option is clinical research. As a physician in clinical research, you are helping to see if new drugs in the market will help patients.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Kennedy
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Kennedy~
As you progress in your medical career, you'll find that your work-life balance will shift and evolve. The first couple of years in medical school are primarily classroom-based, demanding a significant increase in study time compared to your undergraduate years. However, you'll still be able to make time for family and social activities.
As you move into your 3rd and 4th year, you may find yourself working over 80 hours a week, including weekends and holidays. You'll likely have limited vacation time, typically 3-4 weeks per year, usually taken in one-week blocks.
After medical school, you'll begin your residency, which can last between 3-7 years depending on your chosen specialty. During this period, you may feel distanced from your family and social circle due to the demanding nature of your responsibilities, which can consume 80-140 hours per week.
Some doctors opt for further subspecialty training after residency, known as a fellowship. This stage begins to resemble the life of an attending physician, though you're still learning your subspecialty. The time requirements become less intense during this period.
The real turning point comes after you've completed your residency or fellowship, should you choose to pursue one. As an attending physician, you'll have more control over your schedule, and you'll see a resurgence of your family life.
As you progress in your medical career, you'll find that your work-life balance will shift and evolve. The first couple of years in medical school are primarily classroom-based, demanding a significant increase in study time compared to your undergraduate years. However, you'll still be able to make time for family and social activities.
As you move into your 3rd and 4th year, you may find yourself working over 80 hours a week, including weekends and holidays. You'll likely have limited vacation time, typically 3-4 weeks per year, usually taken in one-week blocks.
After medical school, you'll begin your residency, which can last between 3-7 years depending on your chosen specialty. During this period, you may feel distanced from your family and social circle due to the demanding nature of your responsibilities, which can consume 80-140 hours per week.
Some doctors opt for further subspecialty training after residency, known as a fellowship. This stage begins to resemble the life of an attending physician, though you're still learning your subspecialty. The time requirements become less intense during this period.
The real turning point comes after you've completed your residency or fellowship, should you choose to pursue one. As an attending physician, you'll have more control over your schedule, and you'll see a resurgence of your family life.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Kennedy
Updated
George’s Answer
Hi Kennedy. It is easy to see how demanding being any kind of doctor can be judging from the answers you have already received. In my specialty, Podiatry (foot doctor), I worked long hours but had the ability to change my schedule as needed. If I gave my Office Manager advanced noticed, she was able to arrange time so that I could attend a soccer game one of my children played in let's say in the middle of an afternoon. In order to do this, I had to be flexible and "make-up" some of the time I missed. This meant coming in a little earlier or staying later in the office other days. I also added, at times, half of a morning on a Saturday. My surgical schedule was less flexible because the hospitals and Surgicenters provided me with Operating Room time as available and that could not be changed much. No doubt I missed events I would have liked to have gone to involving friends and family. However, after very honest conversations with my wife and children (2 girls and a boy), I learned over the years what was very important to them. This meant giving up some aspirations I had to advance in my career. For example, volunteering a little less to serve on committees and leadership positions that involved traveling and attending many meetings (especially ones after work that meant coming home late). I also hired an associate who stayed with our practice for 24 years. This definitely opened up more free time for both of us. After 40 years of practice, I did try hard to find a balance between work and family. I missed very few of the moments that make sweet memories with your family and friends. My son is an Emergency Room doctor now and he is trying to find that balance as well. I wish you the best with your career choice.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Kennedy
Tahmina Jahan, MD
Pediatrician and Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellow Physician
2
Answers
Updated
Tahmina’s Answer
Hi Kennedy,
Once you’re done with the training part as mentioned above, you have a lot more control over your schedule. What your work/life balance looks like will depend on which sub-specialty you choose and which setting you prefer, for example there may be less flexibility if you’re a physician on call at a major hospital and working nights versus in a position where you would spend most of your time in clinic during normal business hours. There are a lot of options in-between!
I am a pediatrician who chose to do extra training in pediatric infectious disease, so I am currently a pediatric infectious disease fellow physician. My schedule varies depending on whether I am on a research block or “on service” at the hospital. On a research block, I work in a research lab with others, attend lab meetings, present my work so I can share what I’m doing with others. The hours are very flexible, I get to pick when I start and when I end my day, as long I am putting in enough work to make progress. I have weekends off during these blocks.
When I’m “on service” at the hospital, there is a lot less flexibility. I work 7:30 am - 5:30 pm in hospital during which period I get called by other pediatric doctors all over the hospital to help figure out what infection a child has (if any) and the appropriate antibiotics to use. I then take a break when I get home to eat dinner with my family and do bedtime with my kids. I resume work between 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm (sometime later) to finish charting. I am “on call” every other day, meaning I get paged by other doctors from the hospital or from the community who need help from 5 pm - 8 am, including during dinner time and the middle of the night. I work every other weekend during these blocks such that sometimes I can have a stretch of 10-12 days straight working.
Once you’re done with the training part as mentioned above, you have a lot more control over your schedule. What your work/life balance looks like will depend on which sub-specialty you choose and which setting you prefer, for example there may be less flexibility if you’re a physician on call at a major hospital and working nights versus in a position where you would spend most of your time in clinic during normal business hours. There are a lot of options in-between!
I am a pediatrician who chose to do extra training in pediatric infectious disease, so I am currently a pediatric infectious disease fellow physician. My schedule varies depending on whether I am on a research block or “on service” at the hospital. On a research block, I work in a research lab with others, attend lab meetings, present my work so I can share what I’m doing with others. The hours are very flexible, I get to pick when I start and when I end my day, as long I am putting in enough work to make progress. I have weekends off during these blocks.
When I’m “on service” at the hospital, there is a lot less flexibility. I work 7:30 am - 5:30 pm in hospital during which period I get called by other pediatric doctors all over the hospital to help figure out what infection a child has (if any) and the appropriate antibiotics to use. I then take a break when I get home to eat dinner with my family and do bedtime with my kids. I resume work between 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm (sometime later) to finish charting. I am “on call” every other day, meaning I get paged by other doctors from the hospital or from the community who need help from 5 pm - 8 am, including during dinner time and the middle of the night. I work every other weekend during these blocks such that sometimes I can have a stretch of 10-12 days straight working.
Thank you for the response
Kennedy
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Kennedy:
As a neurologist, I often start work at 8 AM and finish seeing patients at 4 PM. I then spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or two responding to patient phone calls and email and looking at results. I will then go home, and spend time with my family, eat dinner and do bedtime. I often then am up in the evening, from 9 to 10 until 12 AM doing work and house work. Then to bed and start again the next day!
As a neurologist, I often start work at 8 AM and finish seeing patients at 4 PM. I then spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or two responding to patient phone calls and email and looking at results. I will then go home, and spend time with my family, eat dinner and do bedtime. I often then am up in the evening, from 9 to 10 until 12 AM doing work and house work. Then to bed and start again the next day!
Thanks for taking the time to answer and telling me your day to day
Kennedy
Of course! Please let me know what else I can help with.
Mark Fehr
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Good morning Kennedy,
I’m internal medicine/ pulmonary and critical care. My day to day looks like this, I get to work and review the charts and make any changes that need to be made before seeing the patients. Then I ‘round’ which means I go and see each patient and ask them how the night went, how they feel etc. I meet with interdisciplinary groups and set people up for discharge. I then do admissions to the hospital. For out patient, I have set appointments and see them as they are scheduled. I review incoming result that I ordered before and make referrals or medication adjustments as needed.
Balancing work and life can be challenging at times but you need a support network no matter what you do with your career goals. I think I have plenty of time to make sure that I have time for me and my family. You should, no matter what, define what is important to you and set boundaries with work so they aren’t compromised. Good luck!
Katie
I’m internal medicine/ pulmonary and critical care. My day to day looks like this, I get to work and review the charts and make any changes that need to be made before seeing the patients. Then I ‘round’ which means I go and see each patient and ask them how the night went, how they feel etc. I meet with interdisciplinary groups and set people up for discharge. I then do admissions to the hospital. For out patient, I have set appointments and see them as they are scheduled. I review incoming result that I ordered before and make referrals or medication adjustments as needed.
Balancing work and life can be challenging at times but you need a support network no matter what you do with your career goals. I think I have plenty of time to make sure that I have time for me and my family. You should, no matter what, define what is important to you and set boundaries with work so they aren’t compromised. Good luck!
Katie
Thank you, Katie!
Kennedy